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or Mai Muvengwa many will instantly recognise her as the woman with sublime acting skills in the Zimbabwe acting sector, particularly her role in the local soap, Studio 263. Entertainment Editor Ruth Butaumocho spoke to Pretty (PX) who ventured into the industry more than 20 years ago, and still remains a force to be reckoned with in the sector.
RB: Can you tell us about yourself?
PX: I was born in Mhondoro on 14 November 1965 from a family of five. I did my primary school education at Masawi School in Mhondoro before moving to Sandringham High School for my secondary education. I later enrolled with CCOSA for my secretarial studies and later moved to Nhambura College for Cutting and Designing course. In addition to that I also did a course in make up.
RB: How did you venture into the acting industry?
PX: I started acting after I had completed O’Level. We got encouragement from school to take up community activities from areas we came from. Because I had always had a passion for acting I immediately joined a drama group, with the assistance of Mrs Matsvetu from Salvation Army in Mbare. During that time, we were getting assistance from University of Zimbabwe students who were studying theatre. We would visit them for workshops and they would also do the same.
But I did not continue with the group when I got married. It was while I was at home that I heard an announcement on radio of ZBC looking for an actress to feature in a Ndebele television drama. I responded and landed a role in a production called Xola, produced by King Dube. The play was on HIV and Aids. When I realised that I was multi-talented I tried my luck on radio and landed several roles in a number of radio productions. Dube later called me for another television drama called Coliwe.
RB: What are some of the productions that you have taken part in?
PX: Some of them include television dramas, Chakafukidza Dzimba Matenga while on films I have done several. These include “I Want a Wedding Dress” by Tsitsi Dangarembga, “Everyone’s Child”, a German production called “The Gape, Playing Warriors”, and recently “Lobola”. I have also done a number of theatrical productions among them “Wedding Day” and “Everyday’s Heroes” that was premiered at Hifa in 2008.
I have also done a lot of educational videos for a number of organisations in addition to radio dramas and commercial adverts.
RB: You can be best described as a versatile actress, who has made it in television, film, theatre and radio. How have you managed to do well in all these areas?
PX: I have been capacitated through a number of workshops that impart acting skills in addition to just fine tuning one to be a good actress. But for me acting is a passion, I do my work diligently whenever I get a role to feature in any production.
RB: You recently took part in the film, Lobola, which I believe had a high turnover of people who wanted to audition for the movie. How did you manage to land the role?
PX: I never auditioned for the role, but the producers called and told me that they had a role they felt suited my character on stage. (In Lobola, she is the mother of the girl, who is to be married).
RB: How do you juggle work and your personal life?
PX: Sometimes it is very difficult, especially when you have shootings that go on until the early hours of the morning. You will get home only to find that the kids are sleeping and you don’t have time to chat with them and discuss their homework. More often than not, you are left with no option, but to continue with the shoots, more so when you know that the family depends on the income for their survival.
However, I often create time to be with family when I am not shooting.
RB: You have been in the industry for more than 20 years, and that alone is an indication that you are now vastly experienced. Why are you still casting for roles at a time when you should be a producer?
PX: Simple. I am still casting because I enjoy acting. It is my passion. However, I am now in the process of setting up a production house. But I will not abandon acting and I know for certain I will continue accepting roles in production so long as I am happy with what is being offered.
RB: As a woman what are some of the challenges that you have faced in the industry, and how have you managed to handle them?
PX: The challenges are too numerous to mention, but there are others that really stand out and you need to have them highlighted. In most productions you will realise that the basic human rights of women are fragrantly abused. Sometimes you are forced to work on a production where there are no sanitary pads and let alone water for bathing when you have finished and want to go home.
In some instances you will find that there are no changing rooms or you have to share the changing room with male casts. The whole experience can be quite denigrating and traumatising. It would be folly to leave out the issue of sexual harassment, which is quite prevalent in the industry, but it appears that the powers that be are actually turning a blind eye to that.
Remuneration is an issue that affects women in the industry. The majority of women in the industry are single mothers and are often laden with responsibilities to take care of their children single-handedly. Look I can spend the whole day chronicling challenges that female artists who are in the industry have to live with in their endeavour to fulfil their passions and to put the bread on the table for their families.
Sometimes the stigma that comes along with being an actress, is just unbearable. Fans can judge you, give you names and are quick to label you as a woman of loose morals, depending on the role that you have in a particular production. In some instances the problems are not usually solved and you would need to make a personal decision, whether you should continue with the production or just call it quits.
RB: Sometime in 2009 you went to South Africa, and you were quiet for a while, what were you doing there?
PX: I did a number of piece jobs. The economy was bad in Zimbabwe and I needed money for my family’s upkeep.
RB: While working for Eyefro Productions in the local soap, Studio 263, there were reports that the late Nervenay Chinyanga aka Muwengwa was your “partner” on and off stage. What is your comment?
PX: I never went out with Muwengwa and he never asked me out. Off the stage, I used to call him ‘hanzvadzi’ and regarded him as such. Even when I was facing marital problems, he would counsel me and offer sound advice. He also reached out whenever I had problems, so really, I don’t know why people thought we had an affair.
RB: I am sure you don’t survive on acting alone?
PX: I am sales consultant in the real estate sector. I also volunteer my services in HIV and Aids community programmes.
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